U.S. patent number 9,664,473 [Application Number 14/994,798] was granted by the patent office on 2017-05-30 for handle for manipulating firearm rod.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Battenfeld Technologies, Inc.. The grantee listed for this patent is Battenfeld Technologies, Inc.. Invention is credited to Adam J. Birk, Dennis W. Cauley, Jr., Michael Cottrell, James Gianladis, Matthew Kinamore, Tim Kinney, Michael Poehlman, James Tayon.
United States Patent |
9,664,473 |
Poehlman , et al. |
May 30, 2017 |
Handle for manipulating firearm rod
Abstract
A handle for manipulating a firearm rod, such as a firearm
cleaning rod, and methods of using same. The handle is selectively
movable along the length of the rod to desired positions along the
length of the rod. The handle can be releasably secured to the rod
at the desired positions. When the handle is releasably secured to
the rod, the rod can rotate with respect to a body of the handle
about the longitudinal axis of the rod.
Inventors: |
Poehlman; Michael (Columbia,
MO), Tayon; James (Moberly, MO), Cauley, Jr.; Dennis
W. (Booneville, MO), Cottrell; Michael (Columbia,
MO), Kinney; Tim (Columbia, MO), Kinamore; Matthew
(Columbia, MO), Gianladis; James (Harrisburg, MO), Birk;
Adam J. (Hallsville, MO) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Battenfeld Technologies, Inc. |
Columbia |
MO |
US |
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Assignee: |
Battenfeld Technologies, Inc.
(Columbia, MO)
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Family
ID: |
56367322 |
Appl.
No.: |
14/994,798 |
Filed: |
January 13, 2016 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20160202015 A1 |
Jul 14, 2016 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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62103441 |
Jan 14, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A
29/02 (20130101); F41A 35/00 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F41A
35/00 (20060101); F41A 29/02 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;42/51,90,95
;81/491 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Hayes; Bret
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Senniger Powers LLP
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 62/103,441, filed Jan. 14, 2015, which is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A handle for use with a firearm rod, the firearm rod including
opposite front and rear ends and a length extending between the
front and rear ends, the handle comprising: a body including a
front end, a rear end, and a firearm rod passage sized and shaped
to receive the firearm rod, the firearm rod passage having an open
front end, an open rear end, and a passage axis extending
therebetween along which the firearm rod extends when received in
the firearm rod passage, and a releasable securing device supported
by the body for releasably securing the body on the firearm rod
when the firearm rod is received in the firearm rod passage, the
releasable securing device including an actuator having a securing
position in which the releasable securing device releasably secures
the body to the firearm rod, and the actuator having a non-securing
position in which the releasable securing device permits movement
of the body with respect to the firearm rod along the length of the
firearm rod when the firearm rod is received in the firearm rod
passage; wherein the actuator is supported by the body to have a
travel path with respect to the body between the securing position
and the non-securing position, the actuator being configured to
move along the travel path from one of the securing and
non-securing positions to the other of the securing and
non-securing positions in response to a pressing force applied by a
user to the actuator in a direction of travel along the travel
path, the releasable securing mechanism being configured to secure
to the firearm rod at an infinite number of locations along the
length of the firearm rod when the actuator is in the securing
position for releasably securing the body on the firearm rod.
2. A handle as set forth in claim 1 wherein the releasable securing
device includes a clamp mechanism, the clamp mechanism including at
least two firearm rod engagement members having respective securing
engagement positions when the actuator is in the securing position
for clamping the firearm rod, the at least two firearm rod
engagement members being separate from and movable with respect to
the actuator and the body.
3. A handle as set forth in claim 2 wherein the clamp mechanism
includes at least one cam having a cam surface; at least one of the
firearm rod engagement members includes a cam engagement surface
constructed for engaging the cam surface; and the cam surface is
configured for moving the at least one firearm rod engagement
member to the securing engagement position by engagement with the
cam engagement surface responsive to movement of the actuator
toward the securing position.
4. A handle as set forth in claim 3 wherein the at least one cam
comprises a first cam and a second cam, the first and second cams
being positioned for engaging respective opposite end portions of
the at least one firearm rod engagement member.
5. A handle as set forth in claim 3 wherein the cam surface is
tapered, and the cam engagement surface of the at least one firearm
rod engagement member is tapered corresponding to the taper of the
cam surface.
6. A handle as set forth in claim 1 wherein the releasable securing
device includes a first tapered surface and a second tapered
surface corresponding to the first tapered surface, the first
tapered surface being slidable on the second tapered surface by
movement of the actuator toward the securing position for
releasably securing the body at a selected position along the
length of the firearm rod.
7. A handle as set forth in claim 6 wherein the corresponding
tapered surfaces taper at an angle between about 8 degrees and
about 22 degrees with respect to the passage axis.
8. A handle as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a firearm
rod wiper supported by the body, the firearm rod wiper being
constructed to wipe an exterior of the firearm rod as the body is
moved along the length of the firearm rod.
9. A handle as set forth in claim 1 in combination with the firearm
rod, wherein the firearm rod includes a stop adjacent the rear end
of the firearm rod for limiting movement of the handle rearward on
the firearm rod.
10. A handle as set forth in claim 1 wherein the actuator is
configured for pushing from the non-securing position to the
securing position by said pressing force, the releasable securing
mechanism being configured to apply a securing force to the firearm
rod in response to said pressing force when the actuator is in the
securing position, said securing force being greater than said
pressing force.
11. A handle as set forth in claim 1 wherein the actuator includes
a push surface pushable in the direction of travel along the travel
path, the push surface being arranged for pushing a first distance
from the non-securing position to the securing position, and
wherein the releasable securing device includes at least one
firearm rod engagement member operatively connected to the
actuator, the firearm rod engagement member being in a non-clamping
position for permitting movement of the body with respect to the
firearm rod along the length of the firearm rod when the actuator
is in the non-securing position, the firearm rod engagement member
being in a clamping position for securing the base on the firearm
rod when the actuator is in the securing position, the firearm rod
engagement member being movable a second distance from the
non-clamping position to the clamping position, the first distance
being greater than the second distance.
12. A handle as set forth in claim 1 wherein the actuator is biased
toward the non-securing position.
13. A handle for use with a firearm rod, the firearm rod including
opposite front and rear ends and a length extending between the
front and rear ends, the handle comprising: a body including a
front end, a rear end, and a firearm rod passage sized and shaped
to receive the firearm rod, the firearm rod passage having an open
front end, an open rear end, and a passage axis extending
therebetween along which the firearm rod extends when received in
the firearm rod passage, and a releasable securing device supported
by the body for releasably securing the body on the firearm rod
when the firearm rod is received in the firearm rod passage, the
releasable securing device including an actuator having a securing
position in which the releasable securing device releasably secures
the body to the firearm rod at a selected position along the length
of the firearm rod, and the actuator having a non-securing position
in which the releasable securing device permits movement of the
body with respect to the firearm rod along the length of the
firearm rod when the firearm rod is received in the firearm rod
passage, wherein the releasable securing device is configured to
permit the firearm rod to rotate about the passage axis relative to
the body when the actuator is in the securing position.
14. A handle as set forth in claim 13 wherein the releasable
securing device includes at least one firearm rod engagement member
movable to a securing engagement position with respect to the
firearm rod passage for engaging the firearm rod for releasably
securing the body at a selected position along the length of the
firearm rod, and the releasable securing device includes at least
one bearing supporting the at least one firearm rod engagement
member permitting the firearm rod engagement member to rotate with
respect to the body when the firearm rod engagement member is in
securing engagement with the firearm rod.
15. A handle as set forth in claim 14 wherein the at least one
bearing comprises a first bearing supporting a first portion of the
firearm rod engagement member and a second bearing supporting a
second portion of the firearm rod engagement member.
16. A handle as set forth in claim 15 wherein the first bearing is
movable with respect to the body along the firearm rod passage by
movement of the actuator.
17. A handle as set forth in claim 16 wherein the releasable
securing device includes at least one cam supported by the first
bearing, the at least one cam being constructed to move the firearm
rod engagement member to the securing engagement position in
response to movement of the actuator.
18. A handle for use with a firearm rod, the firearm rod including
opposite front and rear ends and a length extending between the
front and rear ends, the handle comprising: a body including a
front end, a rear end, and a firearm rod passage sized and shaped
to receive the firearm rod, the firearm rod passage having an open
front end, an open rear end, and a passage axis extending
therebetween along which the firearm rod extends when received in
the firearm rod passage, and a releasable securing device supported
by the body for releasably securing the body on the firearm rod
when the firearm rod is received in the firearm rod passage, the
releasable securing device having a securing configuration in which
the releasable securing device releasably secures the body to the
firearm rod at a selected position along the length of the firearm
rod, the releasable securing device having a non-securing
configuration in which the releasable securing device permits
movement of the body with respect to the firearm rod along the
length of the firearm rod when the firearm rod is received in the
firearm rod passage, the releasable securing device including a
component rotatably mounted by a pin connection for changing
direction of force transmitted through the releasable securing
device.
19. A handle as set forth in claim 18 wherein said component
includes a lever mounted by the pin connection.
20. A handle as set forth in claim 18 wherein the releasable
securing device includes an actuator including a push surface, the
actuator having a securing position in the securing configuration
of the releasable securing device and having a non-securing
position in the non-securing configuration of the releasable
securing device, the actuator having a travel path between the
securing position and the non-securing position, the push surface
being arranged for pushing in a direction of travel along the
travel path to move the actuator from one of the securing and
non-securing positions to the other of the securing and
non-securing positions.
21. A handle as set forth in claim 20 wherein the push surface is
arranged for pushing in the direction of travel along the travel
path to move the actuator from the non-securing position to the
securing position.
22. A handle as set forth in claim 21 wherein the actuator is
biased toward the non-securing position.
23. A handle as set forth in claim 20 wherein the actuator includes
a lever mounted by the pin connection, the lever having the push
surface.
Description
FIELD
The present disclosure generally relates to firearm rods, and more
particularly to a handle for manipulating firearm rods.
BACKGROUND
Various types of firearm rods are known. One type of firearm rod is
a cleaning rod used for cleaning a barrel of a firearm. A cleaning
rod may be used to push and/or pull cleaning accessories such as
brushes, jags, loops, and other tools (e.g., with solvent saturated
and/or dry cleaning patches) along a firearm barrel for cleaning
the barrel. Another type of firearm rod is a ram rod used for
pushing a projectile down a firearm barrel and/or moving cleaning
accessories in the barrel. Although existing firearm rods
facilitate firearm cleaning and loading, additional improvements
are needed.
SUMMARY
In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a handle for
use with a firearm rod. The firearm rod includes opposite front and
rear ends and a length extending between the front and rear ends.
The handle includes a body and a releasable securing device. The
body includes a front end, a rear end, and a firearm rod passage
sized and shaped to receive the firearm rod. The firearm rod
passage has an open front end, an open rear end, and a passage axis
extending therebetween along which the firearm rod extends when
received in the firearm rod passage. The releasable securing device
is supported by the body for releasably securing the body to the
firearm rod when the firearm rod is received in the firearm rod
passage. The releasable securing device includes an actuator. The
actuator has a securing position in which the releasable securing
device releasably secures the body on the firearm rod at a selected
position along the length of the firearm rod. The actuator has a
non-securing position in which the releasable securing device
permits movement of the body with respect to the firearm rod along
the length of the firearm rod when the firearm rod is received in
the firearm rod passage.
In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a method of
pushing a firearm rod down a barrel of a firearm. The method
includes moving a handle on a firearm rod from a first position
along the length of the firearm rod to a second position along the
length of the firearm rod. The firearm rod extends through a
firearm rod passage in the handle in the first and second
positions. The method includes releasably securing the handle on
the firearm rod at the second position, and pushing a front end of
the firearm rod in the barrel using the handle secured at the
second position.
Other objects and features of the present invention will be in part
apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front perspective of a cleaning rod assembly of the
present invention including a handle and a cleaning rod, an
intermediate portion of the cleaning rod being broken away;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevation of the handle and a portion of
the cleaning rod, a housing portion of the handle being removed to
expose internal components, the handle being shown in a non-secured
position on the cleaning rod;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary section of the handle and
cleaning rod in an enlarged scale with the handle shown in the
non-secured position;
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective of components of a releasable
securing device of the handle;
FIG. 5 is a side elevation similar to FIG. 2 but showing the handle
in a secured position on the cleaning rod;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary section of the handle and
cleaning rod in an enlarged scale with the handle shown in the
secured position;
FIG. 7 is a side elevation of the cleaning rod assembly in use
pushing a cleaning patch in a barrel of a firearm;
FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 but showing the cleaning patch
positioned farther in the barrel of the firearm and the handle
moved to a different position along the length of the cleaning rod;
and
FIG. 9 is a front perspective of a second embodiment of a cleaning
rod assembly of the present invention including a handle and a
cleaning rod, an intermediate portion of the cleaning rod being
broken away.
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts
throughout the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a cleaning rod assembly of the present
invention is designated generally by the reference number 10. The
cleaning rod assembly can be used for various firearm cleaning
tasks, such as cleaning a barrel of a firearm. In general, the
cleaning rod assembly 10 includes a cleaning rod 12 (broadly
"firearm rod") and a handle 14. As will become apparent, the
cleaning rod assembly 10 permits easy and rapid adjustment of a
position of the handle 14 on the cleaning rod 12. This makes the
cleaning rod assembly 10 more versatile and functional than
conventional cleaning rod assemblies.
Referring to FIG. 1, the cleaning rod 12 includes a front end, a
rear end, and a length extending between the front and rear ends.
The cleaning rod 12 includes a generally cylindrical shaft 16
having a mount 18 at the front end, and a stop 20 at the rear end.
The shaft 16 can be made of carbon fiber, metal, plastic, and/or
another suitable material. The mount 18 includes a receptacle 18A
constructed for threaded connection with a firearm cleaning
element. For example without limitation, the receptacle may be a
bore 18A including an internal thread of 8-32 size. Various firearm
cleaning elements, such as brushes, jags, loops, etc., can be
connected to the mount 18 for performing various firearm cleaning
tasks. Other types of mounts and firearm cleaning elements can be
used without departing from the scope of the present invention. For
example, the mount 18 may comprise an externally threaded shaft
instead of an internally threaded bore. In the illustrated
embodiment, the stop 20 at the rear end of the cleaning rod 12 is
mounted on the rear of the shaft 16. The stop 20 limits rearward
movement of the handle 14 on the cleaning rod 12, as will become
apparent. In FIG. 1, the cleaning rod 12 is shown as having an
indefinite length. It will be understood that cleaning rods having
various lengths can be used without departing from the scope of the
present invention. For example, the cleaning rod 12 may be about
10, 15, 20, 26, 36, 40, 44, 50, 62 or more inches long.
The handle 14 includes a housing 14A and a releasable securing
device 14B supported by the housing. As will be explained in
further detail below, using an actuator 22 of the releasable
securing device 14B, the handle 14 can be secured on the cleaning
rod 12 at selected positions along the length of the cleaning rod.
Accordingly, a user can grip the cleaning rod 12 with the handle 14
at different positions along the length of the cleaning rod to
change the effective length of the cleaning rod, i.e., the length
of the cleaning rod extending from the handle to the mount 18.
Moreover, when the handle 14 is secured on the cleaning rod 12, the
handle permits the cleaning rod to rotate with respect to the
handle. Accordingly, the cleaning rod 12 can rotate in response to,
for example, a firearm cleaning element on the mount 18 tracking
rifling in a barrel of a firearm as the cleaning element is pushed
down the barrel.
In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 14A has an interior that
houses several components of the releasable securing device 14B.
The housing 14A (broadly "a body") is formed of two molded plastic
shell pieces secured to each other. The housing 14A is generally
cylindrical and has opposite front and rear ends. A bottom side of
the housing includes contours formed to facilitate gripping of the
housing by fingers of a user. A top side of the housing includes an
opening 24 out of which the actuator 22 extends. The housing 14A
has an interior defining a cleaning rod passage 26 sized and shaped
for receiving the shaft of the cleaning rod. The passage 26
includes a front opening 26A adjacent the front of the housing and
a rear opening 26B adjacent the rear of the housing. The passage 26
includes a passage axis A-A along which the cleaning rod 12 extends
when received in the passage. The cleaning rod 12 extends forward
out of the front opening 26A of the passage and rearward out of the
rear opening 26B of the passage when the cleaning rod is received
in the passage 26.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the handle 14 includes a cleaning rod
wiper 30 at the front opening of the housing. The wiper 30 is
constructed to wipe the cleaning rod shaft 16 as the handle 14 is
moved along the length of the cleaning rod 12. The wiper 30 is
positioned adjacent the front of the housing, forward from the
releasable securing device 14B, and rearward from the mount 18 of
the cleaning rod 12. Desirably, the wiper 30 is flexible and/or
absorbent for conforming to the outer surface of the shaft 16 and
for wiping and absorbing solvent, oil, debris, etc. from the outer
surface of the shaft. The wiper 30 is constructed to wipe the
entire outer circumference of the shaft. The wiper 30 defines an
opening having a diameter about the same as or slightly less than
the diameter of the cleaning rod shaft so the wiper engages the
shaft around the circumference of the shaft. In the illustrated
embodiment, the wiper 30 is an annular bushing of felt. It will be
appreciated that the wiper assists in preventing solvent, oil,
debris, etc. from entering the housing and from reaching the
releasable securing device 14B inside the housing, where it may
adversely affect the performance of the releasable securing device.
Other types of wipers can be used without departing from the scope
of the present invention.
Referring to FIGS. 2-6, the releasable securing device 14B will be
described in more detail. The releasable securing device 14B is
configured for releasably securing the housing 14A on the cleaning
rod 12. The releasable securing device 14B is supported by the
housing 14A and includes the actuator 22, a clamp mechanism 34, a
pair of bearings 36, and a bushing 38. The clamp mechanism 34,
bearings 36, and bushing 38 are received in a generally cylindrical
cavity of the housing 14A, between the front and rear ends of the
housing. The cleaning rod passage 26 extends through openings in
the clamp mechanism 34, bearings 36, and bushing 38. The actuator
22 is pivotally mounted on the housing 14A and is operatively
connected to the clamp mechanism 34 via the bushing 38 and forward
bearing 36 to cause the clamp mechanism to lock the handle 14 in
position on the cleaning rod 12 in response to movement of the
actuator. The actuator 22 has a non-securing position (e.g., see
FIGS. 2 and 3) in which the releasable securing device 14B permits
movement of the housing 14A with respect to the cleaning rod 12
along the length of the cleaning rod. In this position, the
cleaning rod can be slid forward or rearward through the cleaning
rod passage 26. The actuator 22 also has a securing position (e.g.,
see FIGS. 5 and 6) in which the releasable securing device 14B
releasably secures the housing 14A on the cleaning rod 12 at a
selected position along the length of the cleaning rod, preventing
sliding movement of the cleaning rod through the passage 26.
Accordingly, using the actuator 22, a user can selectively secure
the handle 14 on the cleaning rod 12 at a desired position along
the length of the cleaning rod.
As shown in FIG. 2, the actuator 22 includes a first lever 22A
positioned for actuation by the user, and a second lever 22B
movable conjointly with the first lever. The actuator 22 is
pivotally mounted on the housing 14A by a pin connection 40
defining a pivot axis of the actuator. The first lever 22A is
longer with respect to the pin connection 40 than the second lever
22B. The first lever 22A extends from the pin connection 40 forward
and laterally with respect to the housing out of the opening 24 in
the top side of the housing 14A. The first lever 22A includes a
generally upward facing push surface constructed for a user to
press to move the actuator toward the securing position. It will be
appreciated that the orientation and position of the first lever
22A with respect to the housing 14A facilitates engagement of the
first lever by a thumb of a user. In particular, for example, a
user can wrap their index, middle, and ring fingers around the
bottom side of the housing 14A, and rest their thumb on the first
lever 22A pointing forward generally toward the front end of the
cleaning rod 12. With this grip, the user can move the actuator 22
to the securing position and push/pull the cleaning rod assembly 10
with the same grip on the handle. The second lever 22B includes
first and second arms positioned on opposite sides of the passage
axis A-A for transmitting force from the actuator 22 to the clamp
mechanism 34. The arms of the second lever 22B are spaced from each
other for receiving the cleaning rod shaft 16 therebetween, and
engage respective opposite sides of a forward face of the bushing
38. The forward face of the bushing 38 has an annular actuator
engagement surface sized for engagement with the arms of the second
lever 22B. A rear face of the bushing 38 has an annular bearing
engagement surface, which will be described in further detail
below. The bushing 38 includes an opening through which the
cleaning rod shaft 16 passes. The bushing 38 acts as a force
distributing member for transmitting force from the actuator 22
axially with respect to the passage axis A-A of the cleaning rod
passage 26 to the clamp mechanism 34 for clamping on the cleaning
rod shaft 16, as explained in further detail below.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the clamp mechanism 34 includes multiple
cleaning rod engagement members 46 constructed for securely
engaging the cleaning rod shaft 16 and a pair of cams 48
constructed for moving the cleaning rod engagement members into
securing engagement with the shaft. In the illustrated embodiment,
there are three cleaning rod engagement members 46 (see FIG. 4),
which may also be referred to as clamp shoes. The cleaning rod
engagement members 46 are provided at different angular positions
with respect to the passage axis A-A and together form a segmented
sleeve having a cleaning rod shaft receiving bore of adjustable
diameter. The cams 48 are provided in the form of forward and rear
sleeves positioned adjacent respective opposite forward and rear
ends of the cleaning rod engagement members 46. In the illustrated
embodiment, the cams 48 are single-piece sleeves, but the cams can
be formed of multiple pieces without departing from the scope of
the present invention. The cams 48 overlie portions of the cleaning
rod engagement members 46. The forward cam 48 is movable rearward
and forward along the cleaning rod passage 26. The rear cam 48 is
fixed in position (immovable) with respect to the housing 14A. The
clamp mechanism 34 includes two compression coil springs 50
(broadly "biasing members"), which bias the cams 48 in respective
opposite directions away from each other. As shown in FIG. 3, the
springs 50 are received over respective ends of the cleaning rod
engagement members 46 and over respective ends of the cams 48, and
the ends of the springs bear against respective opposite sides of
flanges 46A extending radially outward on the cleaning rod
engagement members 46 and flanges 48A extending radially outward on
respective cams 48. The arrangement is such that the springs 50
bias the actuator 22 toward its non-securing position, in which the
cleaning rod engagement members 46 are not in clamping engagement
with the cleaning rod shaft 16, so the handle 14 can be moved along
the length of the cleaning rod 12.
A user can secure the handle 14 in position on the cleaning rod 12
by pressing the first lever 22A of the actuator 22. As shown by
comparison of FIGS. 3 and 6, this causes the arms of the second
lever 22B to push the bushing 38, forward bearing 36, and forward
cam 48 rearward such that the forward cam slides rearward over the
cleaning rod engagement members 46 and causes the cleaning rod
engagement members to move rearward farther into the rear cam 48.
The arrangement is such that rearward movement of the forward cam
48 and the cleaning rod engagement members 46 against the bias of
the springs 50 causes the forward and rear cams to move the
cleaning rod engagement members radially inward into securing
engagement with the cleaning rod shaft 16 for clamping on the
shaft. The cams 48 and cleaning rod engagement members 46 have
corresponding tapered surfaces to effect the movement of the
cleaning rod engagement members into releasable clamping engagement
with the cleaning rod shaft 16. The cams 48 include respective
passages defined by conical cam surfaces 48B. The conical passages
taper from a relatively large diameter at a first end of the bore
to a relatively small diameter at a second opposite end of the
bore. The cams 48 are arranged in opposite orientations such that
the relatively large diameter ends of the passages face each other
and are received over the opposite forward and rear ends of the
cleaning rod engagement members 46. The cleaning rod engagement
members 46 include respective conical segment cam engagement
surfaces 46B constructed to interface with the cam surfaces of the
cams. Each cleaning rod engagement member 46 includes a forward cam
engagement surface 46B positioned for engagement by the cam surface
48B of the front cam 48 and a rear cam engagement surface 46B
positioned for engagement by the cam surface 48B of the rear cam
48. The front cam engagement surfaces 46B together form a segmented
truncated conical surface facing forward for engagement with the
conical bore of the front cam 48, and the rear cam engagement
surfaces 46B together form a segmented truncated conical surface
facing rearward for engagement with the conical bore of the rear
cam 48. The cam surfaces 48B and cam engagement surfaces 46B taper
with respect to the passage axis A-A at corresponding angles. For
example without limitation, the cam surfaces 48B and cam engagement
surfaces 46B may taper at an angle between about 8 degrees and
about 22 degrees with respect to the passage axis, more preferably
at an angle between about 12 degrees and about 18 degrees with
respect to the passage axis, and even more preferably at an angle
of about 15 degrees with respect to the passage axis. Desirably,
the degree of taper is selected to permit a reasonable amount of
pressure on the actuator 22 to create a significant clamping force
on the cleaning rod shaft 16 yet also to prevent "taper lock" or
frictional lock of the cams 48 on the cleaning rod engagement
members 46 preventing the springs 50 from moving the cams back to
their non-securing positions when the actuator is released. It has
been found that a taper angle of about 15 degrees permits a user
with ordinary strength to impart a clamping force of about 50
pounds on the cleaning rod shaft 16 and not result in taper lock of
the cams 48 on the cleaning rod engagement members 46.
When the releasable securing device 14B is in the securing
position, the cleaning rod 12 is permitted by the bearings 36 to
rotate with respect to the housing 14A about the cleaning rod
passage axis A-A. The bearings 36 include inner and outer races
36A, 36B, and the cams 48 are seated in openings in the respective
inner races 36A. Desirably, one or more bearing elements 36C (e.g.,
balls) are provided in an annular space defined between the inner
and outer races 36A, 36B to permit rotation of the inner race with
respect to the outer race. The arrangement is such that the
bearings 36 support the clamp mechanism 34, including the cams 48,
cleaning rod engagement members 46, and springs 50, on the housing
14A of the handle 14. When the releasable securing device 14B is in
the securing position, the inner races 36A, cams 48, cleaning rod
engagement members 46, and springs 50 remain in fixed position with
respect to the cleaning rod shaft 16, and they are permitted to
rotate about the cleaning rod passage axis A-A with respect to the
housing 14A, outer races 36B, bushing 38, and actuator 22. Because
the annular bearing engagement surface on the rear face of the
bushing 38 is constructed to engage the forward bearing 36 on the
outer race 36B and not on the inner race 36A, the inner race is not
rotationally restricted by friction against the bushing.
Accordingly, when the releasable securing device 14B is in the
securing position and a cleaning element on the front end of the
cleaning rod 12 is pushed down a barrel of a firearm, the user can
hold the handle housing 14A in a consistent orientation while the
cleaning rod shaft 16 rotates with respect to the housing,
permitting the a cleaning element to track rifling on the inside of
the barrel.
When the actuator 22 is released by the user, the springs 50 move
the actuator to its non-securing position by moving the cams 48 in
opposite directions to the positions shown in FIG. 3. Accordingly,
the cams 48 release the cleaning rod engagement members 46 from
clamping engagement with the cleaning rod shaft 16. The handle 14
can then be moved to a different selected position along the length
of the cleaning rod 12, where the actuator 22 can again be used to
secure the handle in position on the cleaning rod.
It will be understood that the handle 14 can be adjusted to
accommodate cleaning rod shafts of various diameters. For example,
one or more components of the releasable securing device, such as
the actuator 22, bushing 38, bearings 36, cams 48, and/or cleaning
rod engagement members 46 can be interchangeable with similar
components sized differently for accommodating a cleaning rod
having a larger or smaller diameter shaft. In one example, the
entire clamp mechanism 34 can be removed from the handle and
replaced with a clamp mechanism constructed for use with a shaft
having a different diameter. Moreover, other components, such as
one or more bushings or shims can be added to the handle for
adjusting it for use with a shaft having a different diameter.
A method of using the cleaning rod assembly 10 is illustrated with
reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. In FIG. 7, the cleaning rod assembly 10
is shown having a cleaning element 54 (e.g., jag) mounted on the
mount 18, and a cleaning patch or cloth 56 mounted on the cleaning
element and received in an open end of a firearm barrel B. The
handle 14 is located at an intermediate position along the length
of the cleaning rod shaft 16, with the actuator 22 in the securing
position. A user may choose this "starting position" of the handle
14 on the cleaning rod shaft 16 to decrease the length of the
cleaning rod shaft between the handle and the cleaning element 54
so that pushing of the cleaning rod 12 has less tendency to flex
the cleaning rod shaft, as compared to pushing from the rear end of
the cleaning rod. As the user pushes the cleaning element 54 into
the barrel B the cleaning rod 12 may freely rotate in the handle 14
about the passage axis A-A. As shown in FIG. 8, after the handle 14
is moved relatively closely to the open end of the barrel B to push
the cleaning element 54 into the barrel, the handle can be
repositioned and releasably secured on the cleaning rod 12 farther
back on the shaft 16 to permit the user to push another portion of
the shaft into the barrel using the handle. This process can be
repeated as many times as necessary to advance the cleaning element
as far as desired into the barrel. And the process can be reversed
if desired for removing the cleaning rod 12 from the barrel B.
In view of the foregoing, it will be appreciated that cleaning rod
assemblies according to the present invention are more versatile
and functional than conventional cleaning rods. The handle 14
permits the user to grip the cleaning rod 12 essentially anywhere
along the length of the shaft 16. The user is not limited to using
the handle at the far rear end of the cleaning rod 12, as in
conventional configurations. The effective length of the cleaning
rod 12 can be changed by moving the handle 14 on the shaft. A
relatively long shaft 16 can be pushed in increments into a barrel
or pushed into a shorter length barrel (e.g., a handgun barrel)
from a more appropriate intermediate position on the length of the
cleaning rod 12. The handle 14 provides better control of the
cleaning rod 12 and can reduce the possibility that the cleaning
rod will bow or flex along its length when forced down a firearm
barrel.
It will be appreciated that the embodiment shown and described
herein is provided by way of example and not limitation. Other
configurations and constructions can be used without departing from
the scope of the present invention. For example, actuators having
other constructions and/or orientations can be used. A lock may be
provided for locking the actuator in its securing position, such as
explained below with reference to FIG. 9. The actuator may be
biased toward the securing position instead of toward the
non-securing position, in which case pressing of the actuator by a
user could move the actuator to the non-securing position.
Moreover, the bushing, bearings, and/or components of the clamping
device, can have other constructions or orientations, or be
omitted, without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Moreover, other numbers of cleaning rod engagement members, cams,
and/or bearings may be used without departing from the scope of the
present invention.
Referring to FIG. 9, a cleaning rod assembly according to a second
embodiment of the present invention is designated generally by the
reference number 110. The cleaning rod assembly is essentially the
same as the cleaning rod assembly 10, except for the features
described hereafter. Like parts are indicated with like reference
numbers, plus 100. In this embodiment, a lock 170 is provided for
selectively locking the handle 114 in its securing position on the
cleaning rod 112. In the illustrated embodiment, the lock 170 is
supported on the housing 114A and has locking and non-locking
positions relative to the releasable securing device 114B. The lock
170 is shown as including a rocker switch for moving the lock
between the locking and non-locking positions, but other types of
locks can be used without departing from the scope of the present
invention. In the non-locking position, the lock 170 permits the
actuator to move between its securing and non-securing positions.
In the locking position, the lock 170 maintains the actuator 122 in
the securing position. For example, the lock 170 may frictionally
engage the actuator, matingly engage the actuator, and/or block a
travel path of the actuator to the non-securing position. For
example, when the user presses the actuator 122 to move it to the
securing position, the lock 170 can be moved to its locking
position to maintain the actuator in the securing position without
the user applying pressure to the actuator. The user can use the
cleaning rod assembly 110 with the handle 114 in the secured
position on the cleaning rod 112 without needing to maintain
pressure on the actuator 122. When the user is ready to move the
handle 114 to a different position on the cleaning rod 112, the
user can move the lock to the non-locking position, which permits
the actuator to move to its non-securing position. It will be
appreciated other types of locks can be used without departing from
the scope of the present invention. For example, the lock 170 can
lock the handle 114A in position on the cleaning rod 112 by
engagement with and/or blocking of a component of the releasable
securing device 114B other than the actuator 122.
It will be understood that although the handles disclosed herein
are shown as being used with cleaning rods, the handles could be
used with other firearm rods without departing from the scope of
the present invention. For example, it will be appreciated that a
ram rod assembly could include a ram rod and a handle having
essentially the same construction as disclosed herein. The handle
would function essentially the same as the handles disclosed
herein, and the ram rod could be used for various functions,
including pushing a projectile down a barrel of a firearm and/or
cleaning a barrel of a firearm.
Having described the invention in detail, it will be apparent that
modifications and variations are possible without departing from
the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims.
As various changes could be made in the above constructions and
methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it is
intended that all matter contained in the above description and
shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as
illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
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